Chapter 74 - Stepping Down (2/2)
Nijimura: ”Sure, it has. Are you going to force me to stay as captain after hearing all that?”
A wind blow outside, gently rattling the windows that lined corridor.
Nijimura looked at his silent teammate and asked.
Nijimura: ”Feeling uncertain?”
Akashi shook his head and answered.
Akashi: ”No. I am merely worried about you, Nijimura-san.”
Nijimura smiled at his ever so calm junior and said.
Nijimura: ”Figures. That's why I am not worried at all.”
He turned away from Akashi and walked away as he spoke.
Nijimura: ”I have faith in you, Captain Akashi.”
Nijimura walked away, ending the conversation.
He knew that his time at the club was coming to an end, at the rate his juniors were improving, it was a matter of time before he was pushed down the bench.
Akashi looked at the retreating figure of his senior and said.
Akashi: ”Yes.”
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
(Perspective change)
Akashi Seijuro was of two minds. When he arrived in front of the faculty, he wasn't expecting to overhear the conversation between Sanada and Nijimura.
When Nijimura said that he wanted Akashi to replace him as the captain, the 'other' one in the background of Akashi's mind thought.
Akashi(Other): 'This might be the perfect chance to regain some control over the team.'
Akashi(True) was not thinking about that. He was concerned about why his captain was stepping down, but then he heard the reason.
A parent with weak health to the point of hospitalization, it was something that brought out the memories from his childhood.
These memories were not enough to send Akashi(True) into panic as it had been years after their mother's death, but they were enough to create a moment of weakness that was exploited by Akashi(Other).
He took over the front seat and came out.
Akashi: 'If I become the captain, then I would have much more control over the team. I can exercise more authority over the team.'
Nijimura came out of the faculty office, and the one who was waiting for him was Akashi(Other).
Nijimura: ”Oh, it's you, Akashi.”
Akashi greeted Nijimura.
Akashi: ”Hello.”
Akashi put on an uncomfortable body language, which caused Nijimura to ask.
Nijimura: ”Wait, you overheard, didn't you?”
Akashi smiled inside and thought.
Akashi: 'All of it.'
But what he said was.
Akashi: ”Just the last bit.”
Nijimura grumbled at Akashi's answer.
Nijimura: ”The part I wanted you to hear the least.”
Akashi looked up to his captain as he came near him and thought.
Akashi: 'It was good news.'
Nijimura smiled a little as he congratulated his junior.
Nijimura: ”It's a bit early, but you are the captain from now on, Akashi.”
Akashi thought otherwise.
Akashi: 'Not at all, this is the perfect timing.'
Akashi acted as it wasn't finalized yet.
Akashi: ”It hasn't been decided yet.”
Nijimura frowned as he spoke.
Nijimura: ”Sure, it has. Are you going to force me to stay as captain after hearing all that?”
Akashi saw Nijimura look into his eyes and then asked.
Nijimura: ”Feeling uncertain?”
Akashi internally scoffed as he thought.
Akashi: 'Me, uncertain! Ha! I am anything but that. I am happy if nothing else.'
Akashi shook his head and answered.
Akashi: ”No. I am merely worried about you, Nijimura-san.”
Nijimura smiled at his ever so calm junior and said.
Nijimura: ”Figures. That's why I am not worried at all.”
He turned away from Akashi and walked away as he spoke.
Nijimura: ”I have faith in you, Captain Akashi.”
Akashi faintly smiled as he looked at the back of the former captain and simply said.
Akashi: ”Yes.”